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Reduced Steelhead Bag, Possession Limits Extended to Spring by Staff Idaho County Free Press, December 27, 2017

Fish and Game commissioners extended the reduced bag and possession limits for the 2018 spring steelhead season, which starts Jan. 1.

Daily bag limits for the 2018 spring season are two daily and six in possession statewide. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead may be harvested. Steelhead longer than 28 inches in total length cannot be harvested on the mainstem Clearwater, North Fork Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater, South Fork Clearwater, or the Snake River from the confluence (Lewiston) upstream to Couse Creek Boat Ramp.

All other 2018 steelhead rules still apply, including season harvest limits, opening and closing dates. An updated brochure will be available before Jan. 1 on the Steelhead Fishing Rules page at idfg.idaho.gov.

The number of hatchery steelhead returning to Idaho is sufficient to provide a harvest fishery for adipose fin-clipped, hatchery-origin steelhead under reduced harvest limits through the spring season. The size restriction on the lower Snake and Clearwater rivers protects the larger "B-run" steelhead from overharvest and ensures enough will return to replenish hatcheries.

Limits include:

• In the Clearwater River Basin, which includes the Mainstem Clearwater, North Fork Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater and South Fork Clearwater, daily limit of two adipose fin-clipped steelhead, none over 28 inches in total length. Possession limit is six adipose fin-clipped steelhead, none over 28 inches in total length.

• In the Salmon River, daily limit is two adipose fin-clipped steelhead and possession limit is six adipose fin-clipped steelhead.

• In the Snake River from the Washington/Idaho State line upstream to Couse Creek Boat Ramp approximately 17 miles upstream of the Idaho-Washington border, daily limit is two adipose fin-clipped steelhead, none over 28 inches in total length and possession limit is six adipose fin-clipped steelhead, none over 28 inches in total length.

• In the Snake River upstream from Couse Creek Boat Ramp, in the Snake River from Hells Canyon to Oxbow Dam and in the Boise River, daily limit is two adipose fin-clipped steelhead and possession limit is six adipose fin-clipped steelhead.